Cleaning device having sponge-like cleaning block



11mg?, urlov y .nzsf I' 3,491,397

. I l CLEANING DEVICE HAVING sPoNGE-LIKB CLEANING BLocx Filer; Aug. I. 1966 l s sheets-shet I Afro-AWM 3,491,397 ACLEANING DEVICE HAVING SPONGE-LIKE CLEANING BLOCK Filed Aug. 1. 196e Jan. 27, '19. 10 lw. HEsENER.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 v 70 om fa AT'ORA/EYS w. HESENER 3,491,397

CLEANING DEVICE HAVING SPONGE-LIKE CLEANING BLOCK Jmzv, l1970 s sheets-sheet s Filed Aug. 1. 196e ooooooao.

ooooooooo ooooooo oo ArrokA/Ers' United States Patent O Inf. Cl. A471 17/00 U.S. Cl. -118 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A washing-up mop has a combined handle and core member. The core member is adapted to be anchored within a sponge having one scouring face. The core member is pivoted to the handle for swinging from one side to the other to present either the scouring face of the sponge or the sponge face to the surface to be washed. The pressure on said surface operates said pivotal movement. The sponge is retained on the core member by integral projections on the core member. These projections take various shapes and designs from pin-like projections to triangular projections including barb-like teeth.

This invention relates to cleaning devices intended for cleaning various containers used in households such as, for instance, cups, glasses, bottles, pots, disheS, etc- This invention relates more Specifically to Sponges, or sponge-like cleaning blocks, which are supported by a handle.

It is one object of this invention to provide improved handle-supported sponges, or sponge-like cleaning blocks.

The object of the invention is to provide cleaning devices having a handle and a sponge-supporting core on the handle, wherein the sponge is held securely in position against rubbing forces on the core without resorting to any cement or adhesive means, and wherein the sponge is, in addition, easily and readily replaceable.

Another object of the invention is to provide cleaning devices of the above description wherein the sponge-supporting core is permanently afiixed to the handle, thus requiring, in cases of replacement of worn Sponges, only a replacement of the sponge but no replacement of the internal sponge-supporting core.

These and other objects of the invention and advantages thereof will become more apparent from the ensuing detailed description of the invention and the features of novelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to this specication and forming part thereof.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention wherein:

FIG. 1 is in part a side elevation and in part a vertical section of a sponge supported by a handle;

FIG. 2 is in part a front elevation and in part a vertical section of the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse section of a Sponge including a supporting ring and also including a pivotal support for said ring;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the sponge structure shown in FIG. 3 seen at right angles to FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows in side elevation a mode of pivotally connecting a handle and a sponge;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation of the structure of FIG. 5

FIG. 7 is substantially a vertical section of a mechanism for pivotally connecting a sponge to a sponge-supporting handle; l I

FIG. 8 shows the same structure as FIG. 7 in a sect1on "ice taken at right angles to the plane in which FIG. 7 is drawn;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of a pan-shaped bearing for pivoting a sponge-supporting core relative to a coresupporting handle;

FIG. 10 shows partially in elevation and partially in section a sponge-supporting core and means pivotally supporting the same;

FIG. 11 shows a modification of the structure of FIG. 1() in the same fashion as FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 shows partly in section and partly in elevation a substantially pan-shaped bearing for pivotally supporting a sponge;

FIG. 13 shows the same structure as FIG. 12 seen at right angles;

FIG. 14 shows a modification of the structure of FIG. 12 in the same fashion as FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 shows the same structure as FIG. 14 seen at right angles; t

FIG. 16 is a top-plan view of a sponge having a pocket-like narrow slot for insertion of a sponge-supporting core;

FIG. 17 is a front elevation of a sponge-supporting core including core-supporting pivot means;

FIG. 18 is a side elevation of the structure of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a front elevation of another sponge-supporting core including tooth-like projections for securing the sponge to the core;

FIG. 20 is a cross-Sectional View of a sponge-supporting core having a system of bristle-like projections for securing the sponge to the core;

FIG. 21 is a side elevation of a handle for supporting a sponge-supporting dented core;

FIG. 22 is a vertical section of a sponge and its support; and

FIG. 23 shows in side elevation a sponge-supporting handle, and a core for supporting the sponge integral with the handle and a sponge supported by the spongesupporting core.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, sponge 18 is surrounded by a ring 19 which compresses the sponge. As shown in FIG. 4, the right side of sponge 18 is covered by a scouring or scrubbing layer 20. The sponge has, therefore, a wiping surface and a scouring or scrubbing surface 20a. Pin 19a on ring 19 forms a thrust bearing for the sponge 18. Reference numeral 21 has been applied to indicate a stem supporting sponge 18. Pin 22 pivotally secures ring 19 to part 21. The latter has a fork-shaped end 21a. Fork-shaped end 21a and pin 19b are pivotally connected by pin 22 projecting transversely through these two parts. Reference numeral 19C has been applied to indicate two abutments limiting the end positions to which part 21 and sponge 18 may be pivoted. These abutments may be formed by portions of ring 19` engaging cooperating points of parts 21.

The pivotal structure supporting a sponge should have sufficient friction to keep the sponge in any desired position. This .may be achieved by various means as, for instance, friction-increasing springs or ratchet wheels (not shown).

If it is intended to clean containers of relatively small diameter, ring 19 and stem 21 are aligned. When cleaning relatively largecontainers or vessels, ring 19 and part 21 are arranged so as to enclose a predetermined angle, as clearly shown in FIG. 4. In that position the left surface of sponge 18 operates as wiping surface and the surface 20a of layer 20 as a scouring or scrubbing means.

Reference numeral 23 (FIGS. 1 and 2) has been applied to indicate the handle of the sponge which is shaped similar to that of a hair brush and has recesses 23b, 23C.

3 The lower end of handleA 23 is fork-shaped, i.e. it includes a pair of spaced prongs as indicated at 23a. Sponge-supporting core 24 has an upper projection 24a engaging the space between the two prongs 23a. Pin 25 projects transversely through fork 23 and projection 24a of' core 24 and thus establishes a pivotal connection between handle 23` and core 24 and sponge 26. Sponge 26- has a central position and two angular limit positions which are determined by cooperating abutments. Reference characters 24b and 24e have been applied to indicate abutments forming part of core 24 and cooperating abutments (not reference; form part of handle 23. Reference numeral 27 has been applied to indicate a ring or annular member which is adapted to be shifted in a direction longitudinally of handle 23 and has an upper limit position and a lower limit position. In the lower limit position of ring 27 sponge 24 is blocked or locked in its central position coaxial to handle 23.

Referring now to FIGS. and 6, numeral 46 has been apphed to indicate a sponge and numeral 45 has been applied t-o indicate a sponge-supporting core having two surfaces 45e which enclose an acute angle with each other. The lower portion of stem 44 is bifurcated as indicated at 44a. The ends of the fork-shaped portion 44a are bent and extend parallel to the edge formed between slanting surface 45C and rest on said edge. Reference character 44b has been applied to indicate the bent ends of vfork 44a forming pins about which sponge-supporting core 45 land sponge 46 are pivotable. Pins 44b project into bearing-forming passageways 45b formed in the upper portion 45a of core 45. The angle enclosed between surfaces 45e` determines the extent to which core 45 and sponge 46 may be tilted. The end surfaces 45d (see FIG. 5) are slightly convex, providing sufficient friction to preclude unintentional moving of sponge 46 and core 45 from one of their fixed positions to another. The surfaces 45d may also be provided with a recess (not shown) engageable by fork-members 44a to maintain stern 44 in the median position thereof. Fork 44a may be resilient and thus laterally expandable to allow pins 44b to be inserted into bearing passages 45d from the axially outer ends of these passages.

Referring now to FIG. 9, numeral 47 has been applied to indicate a stem having a lower flat pan-shaped end 47a. Numeral 48 has been applied to indicate a spongesupporting core having a at pan-shaped upper end portion 48a. Parts 47a and 48a are arranged in abutting relation and pivot pin 49 projects transversely through parts 47a and 48a. The sponge (not shown) may be-moved to two angular positions by dash-anddot lines 50a, Sib. These positions are determined by cooperating abutment surfaces indicated by reference characters 4719 and 48C. Reference character 4817 has been applied to indicate projections substantially shaped as the teeth of a saw integral with core 48. The purpose of these projections 4811 is to firmly secure the sponge (not shown) to the sponge-supporting core 48.

In the structure shown in FIGS. and 11 stem or handle 51 is bifurcated, forming a pair of slightly diverging prongs. The ends 51E; of these prongs are bent axially outwardly 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis of part 51 and engage bearings 525.

The core 52 is provided with sponge-engaging projections and defines a passageway 52a engaged by the ends 51b of fork 5in. The two prongs of fork I51a are resilient, thus making it readily possible to insert ends 51b into a passageway 52a. Reference numeral 52C has been applied to indicate two converging surfaces of core 52 which form abutments for fork prongs 51a, and thus define the slanting limit positions of core 52 and of the sponge which is carried by core 52. If desired, the lateral walls 52d of the fork-end-receiving recess in core 52 may be slightly convex to increase the friction between prongs 51a and the core 52, and the median plane of the aforementioned recess may be provided with a groove or the like (not shown) into which the prongs of fork 51a may snap due to the resiliency thereof, and thus be firmly held in the central position of part 51 and fork 51a.

In the structure shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 reference numeral 53 has been applied to indicate a sponge-supporting core whose surface is particularly large. The sides of core `53 are provided with projections which are substantially cone-shaped and to which reference characters 53a, 5317 and 53d have been applied. The structure of FIGS. 17 and 18 is intended to support a sponge which may be of relatively large size without resorting to an adhesive for attaching the sponge to the sponge-supporting core. Such a sponge is provided with a narrow slot or pocket, as will be described below more in detail, into which core 53 is, or may be, inserted. Projections 53a, 53b and 53a` of core 53 project into the pores of the sponge, and thus affix the latter to the core 53. rhe projections 53a, 5317, 53u.` are shaped in such a way as to maximize adhesion between the core 53 and the sponge which is supported by the latter without damaging the sponge, i.e. cutting slits into its internal surface. Reference numeral 53a has been applied to indicate substantially cone-shaped projections having an upward slanting surface, reference numeral 53d has been applied to indicate substantially cone-shaped projections having a downward sloping surface and reference numeral 53h has been applied to indicate projections whose axis is substantially at right angles to the plane defined by core 53. This geometry of core 53 effects a strong non-adhesive bond between core 53 and the sponge to be aflixed to it, and makes it readily possible for any unskilled housewife to replace a worn sponge by a new one. Reference numeral 53e has been applied to indicate the lower portion of core 53 which is relatively thick, in order to preclude the core from being pushed transversely through the sponge, and thus damage the latter. The portion 53e includes the slanting surfaces 53f effecting increased protection of the sponge to forces transmitted from the core of the sponge. The upper portion of core 53 is formed by a closing or terminal element `53g which forms a closing member for the slot provided in the sponge for the insertion of core 53 into the sponge. Perforated plate 53e projects upwardly from the upper surface of terminal or sealing element 53g, and is intended to pivotally support core 53 and the sponge which is supported by the core.

FIG. 16 is a top-plan view of a sponge 5-5 having a relatively narrow median slot 56a intended for insertion of the core 53 shown in FIGS. l7 and 20 and described in detail in connection therewith.

Referring now to FIG. 19, numeral 57 has been applied to indicate a sponge-retaining or sponge-supporting core. The latter is shaped substantially as a ships anchor but, in addition thereto, is provided with tooth-like projections 57a and 57h. The anchor-shaped portion 57e projects laterally beyond the portion of the core which is provided with sponge-engaging teeth. The portions 57e of the sponge-supporting core 57 are resilient, and thus closely engage under appropriate pressure the sides of the slot 56a of sponge 56 shown in FIG. 21. The upper portion or stem 57e is intended to attach core 57 and its sponge (not shown) to a handle which may be of the type shown in FIGS. I and 2. The lower portion of core 57 is of larger width or thickness than the upper portion thereof for projection of the sponge against the shearing action of the core 7 and its constituent parts.

In the structure shown in FIG. 20, core 59 for supporting a sponge (not shown) is provided with a system of thin pins or bristles to which reference character 59a has been applied. If desired, the pins or bristles 59a may be made of the same material as core 59 proper. The tine pins or bristles 59a slant in upward direction, thus tending to establish a firm bond between core 59 and the sponge supported by the latter. The bristles 59a may be fish-hook shaped at the ends thereof, if this is deemed necessary or desirable under particular circumstances. It will be apparent that the direction of the bristles 59a greatly facilitates the insertion of the core 59 into the slot 56a of the sponge 56 shown in FIG. 16 and the retention of the sponge by the sponge-supporting core 59. Projection 59b of the core 59 is perforated and intended to secure core 59 to a sponge-supporting handle (not shown), as previously described. The sponge-supporting core 59 is further provided with a slot-sealing bar 59d and with a widened bottom portion 59e. The former seals the slot 56a shown in FIG. 16 and the latter prevents damage to the sponge as a result of excessive specific pressure.

Insertion of a sponge-supporting core into the slot 56a of sponge 56 of FIG. 16 may be facilitated by previous insertion of two flat plates into slot 56a which will be described below more in detail. The sponge may be furnished by the manufacturer of the device with two such plates in position. These plates may be made of a plastic material, or of cardboard, etc. The upper edges of the plates may project beyond the top surface of the sponge. The plates may be formed by a folded sheet material whose fold is coextensive with the lower end of slot 56a of FIG. 16. Upon insertion of the sponge-supporting core into the slot 56a. the two aforementioned plates are tremoved, thus causing the pointed projections of the spongesupporting core to dig into the sponge, and to firmly connect the sponge and the core.

Referring now to FIG .7, numeral 74 has been applied to indicate a sponge-supporting core having fork-shaped parallel projections 74a on the upper end thereof. Projections 74a are provided with integral pins 74b on the inner surfaces thereof. Sponge-supporting core 74 defines a substantially V-shaped groove 74C situated between projections 74a. Handle 75 has a projection 7 5a extending into the space bounded by projections 74a and provided with a passage 75b forming bearings for pins 74b. This device does away with a separate or additional pivot pin. The entire structure shown in FIG. 7 may be formed by diecasting operations.

As mentioned above, reference numerals 2311 and 23C have been applied in FIG. 1 to indicate empty spaces or voids in handle 23. Handle 75 of FIG. 7 may be formed in exactly the same or in a like fashion. The V-shaped slot 74e increases the resiliency of core 74, and makes it possible towspread apart parts 74a for insertion of pins 74b into passage 75b.

The structure shown in FIG. 8 is very similar to that shown in FIG. 7. In the former the handle 76 is provided with a V-shaped slot forming a pair of prongs 76a of which each has a bearing hole 76b. Sponge-supporting core 77 is provided with a prismatic projection 77a on the upper surface thereof, and bearing pins 77b extend to both sides from projection 77a. The V-shaped slot in handle 76 imparts sufficient flexibility to the latter to allow insertion of pins 77b into their cooperating bearing holes 76b by spreading apart of fork prongs 76a. The core 77 may be located in the central position by means of a locking ring (not shown), as explained in connection with other figures. It is also possible to limit the lateral displacement of core 77 by appropriate cooperating abutting means, as explained in detail in connection with other figures.

The pivotal structure shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 includes a handle 78 of which a pan-shaped plate 78a forms an integral part. A socket 79e is molded into the handle 78. The sponge-suppor-ting core 79 has a bearing web 79a which is held in the socket 79C by means of the four part journal 79b which locks by its own resistance Side faces of the socket serve as stops. The handle 78 has a curved end 78a. The structure of FIGS. 12 and 13 is a hinged mechanism which lends itself for production by die-casting.

Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, handle 80` defines at the lower end thereof a pair of recesses which are substantially pan-shaped and to which reference character a has been applied. Reference character 81 has been applied to indicate the sponge-supporting core. The latter is provided with a pair of integral extensions 81a each arranged in one of recesses 80a and each provided with a pivot pin 81e. Each of the pivot pins 81e` projects into a bore arranged in the partition separating recesses 80a. It will `be apparent that core 81 and its extensions n81a jointly form a fork-shaped structure. Clip 82 precludes the unintentional separation of prong-forming extensions 81a.

Referring now to FIG. 23, handle 83 is provided with a bore 83C intended to form a bearing. Sponge 85 is supported by a core 84 whose upper portion is in the form of a shaft 84a resting in bearing 83a. Reference character 85a has been applied to indicate the wiping side of the sponge 85 and reference character 8Sb has been applied to indicate the scrubbing side thereof. The latter is formed by a layer of scrubbing Imaterial which is laminated upon the sponge proper. Pin 84 is radially slotted, as indicated at 84h, to increase the resiliency thereof. Reference numeral 84e has been applied to indicate a sectionalized collar abutting against handle 83. The sponge 85 may be pivoted about shaft y84a -to interchange the positions of the wiping surface and the scrubbing surface thereof.

According to FIGS. 21 and 22 the handle 86 is provided at the lower end thereof with a sponge-supporting core 87. The surface of core 87 includes a large number of teeth 87a and of cones 87]), projecting from the general plane defined by core 87. Reference character 87e` indicates a portion of core 87 arranged at the lower end thereof and being thicker than the portion of core 86 which is arranged at a higher level.

FIG. 22 shows plates 89 arranged inside of the slot 88a of sponge 88. As mentioned above, plates 89 may be made of an inexpensive plastic material, or of cardboard. Their surface must be sufficiently strong to keep the projections or teeth of core 87 from penetrating into their surfaces. Pla-tes 89 may be joined together adjacent the lower surface thereof as indicated at 89a. Each plate 89 is provided with a tab 89b slightly projecting above the upper surface of sponge 88. Upon joint insertion of core 87 and plates 89 into the slot 88a of sponge y88, plates 89 may readily be removed by applying an appropriate pull to tabs y89b thereof. Removal of plates 89 results in instant penetration of the projections on core 87 into sponge 88 and firm coupling of sponge 88 to core 87.

The dotted line in FIG. 22 indicates a band which ymay surround the sponge 88. This band may replace the tabs 89h on plates 89 as a means for removal of plates 89 from the inside of the sponge. Reference numeral 90a has been applied to indicate a weak point in band 90 Where the latter is intended to be torn. Thereupon plates 89 may be readily removed from the sponge by exerting a pull on band 90.

It will be understood that I have illustrated and described preferred embodiments of my invention, and that various alterations may be made in the details thereof Without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A cleaning device for cleaning household containers comprising in combination:

`(a) a sponge-like cleaning block including means imparting different cleaning performance characteristics to a pair of opposite surfaces thereof, said cleaning block being slotted and defining a pocket having an open end and a closed end;

(b) an insert inside said pocket having one end projecting out of the open end of said pocket for securing said cleaning block to a handle, said insert having lateral projections for engaging internal cavities defined by said cleaning block; and

(c) a removable two-part envelope of sheet material interposed between said pocket and said lateral projections of said insert precluding engagement of said cavities by said projections prior to removal of said envelope.

2. A cleaning device as specified in claim -1 wherein said envelope is substantially U-shaped and has a closed end portion adjacent said closed end of said pocket, Said envelope further having a pair of flange portions including ends projecting out of said open end of said pocket.

3. A cleaning device as specified in claim 1 wherein said insert is substantially plate-shaped, forming a relatively blunt edge at the end thereof adjacent said closed end of said pocket and having a plurality of relatively pointed projections at least on one of the wide surfaces thereof, said envelope being substantially U-shaped having a closed end portion adjacent said relatively blunt edge of said insert and having a pair of ange portions including ends projecting out of said open end of said pocket.

4. A cleaning device as specified in claim 2 wherein said insert is substantially plate-shaped having a plurality of relatively pointed projections on the wide sides thereof, said insert being substantially in the shape of an anchor at the end thereof immediately adjacent said closed end of said pocket, and said end of said insert having upturned prongs being spaced farther apart than the Width of the portion of said insert adjacent said open end of said pocket.

5. Cleaning device for cleaning household containers comprising in combination:

(a) a handle;

(-b) a substantially plate-shaped support supported by said handle for supporting a sponge cleaning block having a support-receiving pocket, at least one of relatively wide and flat surfaces of said support being provided with a plurality of scattered pointed projections projecting out of the plane of the said surfaces and for engaging internal cavities dened by said cleaning block, in which some of the said projections are directed obliquely towards the lower end of the support, and some of them are directed obliquely towards the upper end of the support; and

(c) a sponge cleaning block carried by said support with said support received in said pocket.

6. A combination handle and core assembly for a mop for cleaning household crockery, the said assembly cornprising:

(a) a handle;

(b) a substantially plate-shaped support in the form of a core member carried by the handle and for supporting a sponge cleaning block, the plate-shaped support having a pair of opposed Wide and flat surfaces, each of which has projecting therefrom a plurality of pointed projections projecting out of the plane of the associated surface, some of the said projections being directed towards the end of the support nearer to the said handle and others of the said projections being directed towards the end of the support remote from the said handle.

7. A sponge cleaning block for cleaning household containers including a top surface and a pair of opposite surfaces, said cleaning block having a slot in the top surface thereof of width less than the width of the said top surface and having internal portions thereof defining a pocket having a yclosed end, substantially parallel walls, side edges, and an open end located in the said top surface, said block further comprising a removable member including two smooth sheets of width less than that of the block and substantially equal to that of the pocket located in the pocket and each sheet having a flat extension constit-uting a grippable flange portion thereof projecting from the said open end to facilitate removal of the said member from the pocket.

8. A block according to claim 7 wherein the said removable member takes the form of an envelope which is substantially U-shaped and has a closed end portion adjacent said closed end of said pocket, said envelope further having a pair of ange portions including ends projecting out of said open end of said pocket providing said grippable portions.

9. A sponge cleaning block for cleaning household containers including a top surface and a pair of opposite surfaces, means imparting different cleaning performance characteristics to the said pair of opposite surfaces, said cleaning block being slotted and having internal portions thereof defining a pocket having a closed end and an open end located in the said top surface, the said block further comprising a removable member in the pocket and having a grippable tab projecting from the said open end to facilitate removal of the said member from the pocket, said removable member further taking the form of a two-part envelope wherein the parts are in edge-to-edge contact forming an envelope substantially U-shaped in cross section, with one end portion thereof adjacent the closed end of said pocket and the other end projecting out of said open end of said pocket and bent to form grasping tabs to remove the parts after an insert has been positioned in the pocket of the block.

10. A sponge cleaning block for cleaning household containers including a top surface and a pair of opposite surfaces, means imparting different cleaning performance characteristics to the said pair of opposite surfaces, said cleaning block being slotted and having internal portions thereof defining a pocket having a closed end and an open end located in the said top surface, the said block further comprising a removable member in the pOcket and having a grippable tab projecting from the said open end to facilitate removal of the said member from the pocket, said removable member further comprising a pair of like plates of sheet material having edge-to-edge contact and forming an envelope, the inner ends of the plates contacting adjacent the closed end of the pocket and the other end of the plates projecting out of the open end of thepocket and bent to form gripping tabs.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 546,893 9/1895 Larson 15-165 XR 580,003 4/1897 Rueter 15--165 686,984 11/1901 Mason 15-76 1,120,812 12/1914 Harbian 15-26 1,683,871 9/1928 Curtis 15-97 2,138,010 11/ 1938 Metcalf 15-244.0 2,171,308 8/1939 King 15-26 XR 2,446,183 8/ 1948 Larsen. 2,501,289 3/1950 Orndorlf. 2,998,614 9/ 1961 Winch 15-210 3,225,375 12/1965 Atkinson et al. 15-210 3,353,203 11/1967 Ginter 15--244 FOREIGN PATENTS 220,782. 4/ 1962 Austria.

654,901 12./ 1928 France. 1,153,007 9/ 1957 France.

893,496 4/1962 Great Britain.

DANIEL BLUM, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

